Hello
I have a Spatial Audio Raven tube preamp , a decware amp and Spatial Audio x5 speakers that are 97db sensitive at 8 ohms. My phono preamp is a Zesto andros deluxe 2 and I overwhelmingly listen to vinyl.
I predominantly listen to classic rock jazz and blues. I’m not unhappy with my sound but was wondering what a ss amp would sound like to mix it up a bit since I’m all tubes now.
Suggestions from the ps audio lineup or something else ?
I have been a tube fan for many years. My current main system, which I am by far the happiest i have ever been with my system, comprises of a Conrad Johnson GAT-S2 preamp mated to a solid state Mark Levinson no 534 amp. A Grimm MU2 DAC also has a big impact on sound quality.
If you can find one used, or even a used 5302 amp…
Budget?
Oops forgot
6 k or less
Pass Labs XA-25, a Class A amplifier. 25 WPC into 8 ohms, doubling down into 4 ohms. I partner mine with the XP-22 preamp into Pure Audio Project open baffle speakers, 97 dB efficient.
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So a $2k amp with the required $4k power cord?
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IME the Pass amps aren’t overly fussy regarding power cords.
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I can unequivocally recommend AGD Productions GaN circuit-based amplifiers. The Tempo Di GaN - stereo - (new) and The Audion - monblocks - (on the used market) can be had at a price point within your stated budget.
Check them out here:
I’m with weedeewop the XA-25 would be a good fit especially since the Spatial’s built in amps take care of the bass drivers. The X-5’s will come to life with the extra SS power of the Pass. I’ve owned a pair of Spatial speakers for going on 8 years and while they are in fact seductive with the appropriate tube amp they are a different speaker with a high quality SS or even hybrid amp.
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Thanks for the responses
Any recommendations for a pass dealer ?
When you mention a hybrid amp would the m1200 or rogue audio dragon be viable options ?
Another Pass Labs XA25 recommendation:
I’ve owned one for many years, used it with low efficiency speakers and high efficiency speakers and it’s pure Class A sound is clean and beautiful at any volume.
Read any review and the common conclusions are that it’s one of the best amps the reviewers have heard and also that Pass’ published specs are very conservative. It’s far more powerful than 25 watts into 8 ohms.
Since the retirement of Reno Hifi, there are no particular dealers that come to mind. But given how well they are built, I would not hesitate to buy one used. Pass Labs’ service department does not discriminate between used and new as some manufacturers do.
A couple peculiarities of this amp are: as @weedeewop said above, it’s fairly agnostic when it comes to it’s power cord. And it truly needs a good hour to fully bloom when coming up from cold start. It sounds great immediately but it is a different amp after an hour.
It was the first solid state amp after 35 years of tubes that caused me to sell all my tube gear and never look back.
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Should have been more specific as I was referring to SS hybrids like the BHK 250 not Class D ones. As to dealers, reach out to Mike at Suncoast Audio as he is now dealing with a lot of the Pass gear much like Reno did.
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Well said.
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I was in your shoes starting ten years ago. Tried a few amps. . . Pass. . . Peachtree. . .Mac. the only one that I thought sounded nearly as good as my tube amps was a Coda.
I just decided my Decware amps were best and have stuck with them. It’s all about speaker synergy with them. Good luck with the search!
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My opinion of your system from afar is that it’s an example of the true value of system synergy.
Mine as well.
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Having had Coda gear it is a fine recommendation. Built like a tank and similar to Threshold. The designer was on the Threshold design team for a while.
Their used amps are an easy recommendation.
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Coda has their S5.5 model which is also Class A. More powerful but a bit more expensive also. Either they or Pass would do the trick I would think.
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Having owned a Coda 8…I can say with confidence it is a fine performer. Before buying my Diablo 300… I was all but ready to purchase a Coda S5.5. Some say it is the best sounding Coda amp yet…for a lot less money than their top amp offerings too. Lots of reviews if interested!
Good luck with the search!
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I’ll make one suggestion: try a Swiss Digital Fuse Box with the main amp you use. This with the Graphene Sluggo was like a component upgrade for my amplifier, and I won’t be without one. I now have four, so I won’t be without ONE certainly. The incremental improvement of adding additional ones has been worth it for me–my system has never sounded better and I have no component envy now.
If you’re used to tube amps, but want to try solid state, you really should consider the Atma-Sphere Class D GaNFET monoblocks. You get smoothness combined with transparency and imaging in the mids and highs while the lows are solid and impactful. Unlike Class A or tube amps, the A-S monos run cool, aren’t heavy at all, and can be left on 24/7. They also have a toroidal power supply instead of a switching-mode supply like most Class D amps do.
Ralph Karsten at Atma-Sphere, who has been making tube amps for decades, thinks that his GaNFET monos sound better than either tubes or traditional Class A, without all the extra heat and weight. The GanFETs have even replaced Ralph’s tube amps for personal listening at home. To make sure that the GaNFET monos have synergy with your system, Ralph will allow returns within 6 weeks for no re-stocking fee and just the cost of shipping the amps back to Minnesota.
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